Bills, Broncos, Cowboys Interested In WR Deonte Thompson
Despite being released by a team that possessed arguably the NFL’s worst wideout situation last season, Deonte Thompson is encountering a market for his services. And he’s fielded multiple offers, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
The former Bears castoff became a key target for the Bills upon signing with Buffalo in October. And the Bills have had discussions with the seventh-year wideout about re-signing him. However, they may be battling some competition. Both the Broncos and Cowboys are interested in the 29-year-old receiver, Garafolo reports.
It’s unclear if the Cowboys or Broncos have made an offer. The Broncos appear to have a bigger need of auxiliary receiving help, though.
Denver has struggled badly in this area since Wes Welker‘s departure, with no non-Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders wideout surpassing 350 yards in any of the past three seasons. The Broncos non-tendered then-RFA Bennie Fowler, whose 350 yards were by far the most by a Denver WR3 from 2015-17, this week and saw underwhelming supplementary target Cody Latimer become a free agent.
The Cowboys have not made any Dez Bryant move and also have Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and Ryan Switzer on their roster. Barring a Bryant decision, Dallas would seemingly have less need for Thompson than the Broncos or Bills, who saw Jordan Matthews‘ contract expire. Buffalo still has Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones and Andre Holmes under contract for 2018.
Thompson caught 38 passes for 555 yards with the Bears and Bills last season — by far a career high — and 430 of those air yards came after he caught on in Buffalo.
Marcus Martin To Visit Lions, Cowboys
Versatile offensive lineman Marcus Martin has a pair of meetings coming up. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that Martin will visit the Lions and Cowboys.
The 2014 third-round pick out of USC spent the first three-seasons of his career with the 49ers, including a 2015 campaign where he started 14 games. However, the lineman only played in four games (two starts) in 2016 before landing on the injured reserve. After being waived by San Francisco last offseason, he was claimed by the Browns. He ultimately didn’t take the field for a single game for Cleveland.
Considering Martin’s ability to play both offensive guard and center, he’d be an easy fit as a reserve for any team.
Cowboys To Release Orlando Scandrick
Orlando Scandrick has been granted his request. ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys will release the cornerback. Earlier this week, Scandrick had requested his release from Dallas.
Scandrick was scheduled to carry a $5.28MM cap hit in 2018. They will designate him as a post-June 1 cut, the team confirmed. By moving on from him, the Cowboys will now save $3MM as opposed to $1.4MM.
The Cowboys won’t save a whole lot of money by releasing Scandrick, but his performance last year seemingly necessitated the move. In 2017, Scandrick totaled 38 tackles and graded out as one of the ten worst qualified cornerbacks in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Of course, the 31-year-old could have just had an off year, as he previously earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2014.
The Cowboys nearly traded Scandrick to the Saints during the 2017 draft, but ultimately did not come to terms on a deal that would have brought safety Kenny Vaccaro to Dallas. Reports from late February indicated that the organization was looking to trade the veteran.
Scandrick’s release doesn’t necessarily impact the top of the Cowboys cornerback depth chart. The team is currently projected to start Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, with Anthony Brown slotted in as the top reserve.
Cowboys Interested In Earl Thomas
The Seahawks have at least one suitor for Earl Thomas. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweets that the Cowboys are among the teams with interest in the veteran safety. Of course, the reporter adds that Dallas is “hardly alone” in their pursuit.
It sounds like the Cowboys would be the safety’s preferred landing spot. He connected himself to Dallas following a Seahawks’ win over Dallas, telling Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett to “come get me.” Thomas was also born in Orange, Texas and played at the University of Texas. Back in January, Thomas had threatened a holdout after pushing for a longterm deal. The safety signed a four-year $40 MM deal in 2014, which is set to expire after the 2018 season.
We learned earlier today that the Seahawks were seeking a first-round pick and a third-round pick in exchange for Thomas. Thomas, who will turn 29 in May, has earned six Pro Bowl selections in his eight seasons with Seattle. The safety had another solid campaign in 2017, compiling 56 tackles and two interceptions in 14 games (14 starts).
Saints To Meet With Ndamukong Suh
The Saints have interest in former Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). They’re working to bring the monster defensive tackle in on a visit this week.
Jane Slater of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) this visit will occur, with Suh set to trek to New Orleans on Friday. Slater notes the Cowboys are not expected to be in the running for the dominant defensive tackle. 
If New Orleans is the first visit for Suh, that bodes well for his chances to sign with the Saints, as Rapoport notes. The Seahawks are also among the clubs with interest and there are conflicting reports about the Cowboys’ level of interest in the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
Suh stands as the best free agent on the board after securing his release from Miami. The Dolphins’ decision to release Suh had more to do with his contract than his performance. Last year, he has the fifth-best interior defender in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He also finished out the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks – solid numbers, even if they’re down from previous seasons.
The Saints have a host of defensive linemen out in free agency, headlined by defensive end Alex Okafor. If the season were to start today – a funny phrase here in March – they’d project to start David Onyemata and Tyeler Davison in the middle. Needless to say, Suh would provide a major boost to New Orleans’ front four.
NFL Contract Restructures: 3/15/18
With the 2018 league year officially underway, a number of teams have reworked player contracts in order to create additional cap space. Here’s what moves clubs have made today:
- Broncos: Created $12.375MM in 2018 cap space by converting $16MM of LB Von Miller‘s $18.5MM base salary into a signing bonus (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
- Cardinals: G Mike Iupati accepted $3MM pay cut. 2018 base salary reduced from $7.75MM to $5MM. $250K roster bonus eliminated. 2019 contract season is now voidable (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com).
- Cowboys: Created ~$7.5MM in 2018 cap space by restructuring C Travis Frederick‘s contract (Twitter link via Jane Slater of NFL.com).
- Eagles: Created $5.407MM in 2018 cap space by converting $7.21MM of TE Zach Ertz‘s $8MM base salary into a fully guaranteed roster bonus (Twitter link via Yates).
- Ravens: Created $5.625MM in 2018 cap space by converting $7.5MM of DT Brandon Williams‘ $8.5MM base salary into a signing bonus (Twitter link via Yates).
Cowboys, Seahawks Interested In Ndamukong Suh?
The best free agent left on the board could soon sign with an NFC contender. Both the Cowboys and the Seahawks are interested in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys aren’t interested in the hulking lineman.
Suh was officially released on Wednesday, clearing the way for teams to sign him. The Dolphins first tried to move his contract in a trade, but they were (unsurprisingly) unsuccessful in that effort. The defensive tackle was in the midst of a six-year, $114MM contract that Miami wishes they could take back.
Suh was no doubt overpaid – we could have told you that at the time of his deal – but he is still an impact player. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 interior defensive lineman in the NFL last season and is a three-time All-Pro. The 31-year-old clearly had a productive campaign last season, as he finished the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Suh would obviously slot into both the Seahawks and Cowboys starting lineup. Seattle is currently rostering defensive tackles Jarran Reed, Nazair Jones, Malik McDowell, and Garrison Smith. Meanwhile, Brian Price and Maliek Collins are projected to be in the Cowboys starting lineup.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/14/18
Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions, with the list being updated throughout the day. All links go to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
RFAs
Tendered at the second-round level ($2.914MM):
- Cowboys DE David Irving (story)
- Giants: C Brett Jones (story via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- Jets: Quincy Enunwa (story)
Tendered at original round level ($1.907MM):
- Browns: DT Jamie Meder
- Chiefs: DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches (via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
- Jets: OL Brent Qvale, TE Neal Sterling
- Lions: WR T.J. Jones (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Rams: OLB Matt Longacre (via Rapoport)
- Seahawks: DE Dion Jordan (story)
- Texans: C Greg Mancz
Non-tendered:
- Buccaneers: DE Ryan Russell (via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Chargers: LB Josh Keyes
- Chiefs: LB Ramik Wilson (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Dolphins: OL Anthony Steen
- Falcons: RB Terron Ward (via D. Orlando Ledbetter)
- Jaguars: S Peyton Thompson, RB Tyler Gaffney
- Jets: DL Xavier Cooper
- Lions: RB Zach Zenner, DE Brandon Copeland, DL Zac Kerin
- Packers: LB Joe Thomas (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Panthers: WR Kaelin Clay, CB Ladarius Gunter, TE Scott Simonson, OL David Yankey (via David Newton of ESPN.com)
- Rams: LB Cameron Lynch, T Darrell Williams
- Saints: WR Brandon Coleman, DT David Parry
- Seahawks: RB Thomas Rawls, RB Mike Davis (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Steelers: WR Eli Rogers (story via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
- Texans: LB Brian Peters, DE Angelo Blackson, LB Ben Heeney
- Titans: S Curtis Riley (via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com), RB Bishop Sankey (via Chris Tomasson)
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Browns: QB Kevin Hogan
- Colts: TE Erik Swoope, G Jeremy Vujnovich, CB Christopher Milton, LS Luke Rhodes
- Dolphins: C Jake Brendel, LB Mike Hull, CB Jordan Lucas
- Giants: DT Robert Thomas (via Vacchiano)
- Jets: S Doug Middleton FB Lawrence Thomas TE Eric Tomlinson
- Lions: QB Jake Rudock, DT Christian Ringo
- Packers: WR Geronimo Allison (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
- Rams: K Sam Ficken (via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: LB/DE James Cowser, S Erik Harris, G/T Denver Kirkland
- Ravens: LB Patrick Onwuasor, WR Quincy Adeboyejo, OL Matt Skura, OL Maurquice Shakir
- Seahawks: RB J.D. McKissic, DE Quinton Jefferson, DE Branden Jackson (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
Non-tendered:
- Chiefs: DB Keith Baxter (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Giants: TE Ryan O’Malley, LB Curtis Grant (via Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com)
- Lions: DT Rodney Coe, P Kasey Redfern (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Packers: CB Herb Waters, LS Taybor Pepper (via Silverstein)
- Saints: C Jack Allen
Cowboys Use Second-Round Tender On David Irving
The Cowboys have used a second round tender on restricted free agent defensive tackle David Irving, according to David Moore of the Morning News (on Twitter). The cost will be $2.914 MM for Dallas.
In an effort to retain Irving, the Cowboys were reportedly deciding between first- and second-round tenders for Irving. A first-round tender would have cost Dallas $4.149MM, but also would have offered further protection. Irving is free to sign an offer sheet with another club, and if the Cowboys decide not to match, they would received a second-round pick as compensation.
Last season, Irving managed seven sacks in only eight games, and graded as the league’s No. 29 interior defender, per Pro Football Focus. But Irving missed half the season due to a four-game suspension and a concussion, so the 24-year-old certainly comes with risk.
The Cowboys have already used the franchise tag on defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, so they’re now poised to retain their two best rushers. Dallas isn’t planning to extend Irving this offseason, however, and will likely let him play out the 2018 campaign on the RFA tender.
Cowboys Made Push Toward Signing Sammy Watkins
Early Tuesday morning, Sammy Watkins agreed to a three-year, $48MM deal with the Chiefs. Before that, Watkins had a booming market for his services. The Cowboys, Bears, Jaguars, and the incumbent Rams were among the teams in on the highly-coveted wide receiver, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). 
If Watkins were to have gone to the Cowboys, that would’ve certainly paired up a dynamic and intriguing receiving tandem alongside Dez Bryant. The Jaguars are definitely in need of a wide receiver with the departure of Robinson, along with Marqise Lee set to become an unrestricted free agent.